Chapter 99
There are 27 brigades under Xihe Commune. Qianjin Brigade has given out 27 places. If you do not provide materials, you will automatically give up the place. In this way, other brigades that want this place can draw lots.
In this way, even those who don’t care much about the quota will feel that it is precious.
As for the admission requirements, candidates must have a certain level of knitting skills and must undergo assessment by Zhang Laosi and others.
Before the meeting, Zhou Jiani and Li Jingdang went to the commune again and confirmed some issues with Director Zhai, hoping to get the commune's full support and cooperate with her in the meeting.
Although Zhai Xiangqiang said that he would not interfere with the development of the weaving factory, Zhou Jiani also heard from Li Jingdang that other brigades have approached the commune in recent days, hoping to fully participate, rather than the recruitment model initiated by their Qianjin Brigade.
She was afraid that Zhai Xiangqiang would be persuaded by someone and destroy the unstable development plan.
Among the twenty-seven brigades, seven or eight of them actually did not have much material to provide them with. However, Zhou Jiani's suggestion was that as long as others were willing to support their work, they would be willing to give them a place.
The main reason is that they themselves are short of manpower, but they certainly have to speak in a nice way.
When the meeting time came, cadres from all the teams arrived. When they saw Zhang Baosheng, they came over enthusiastically to greet him and shake his hand.
"Captain Zhang, your team has been doing quite well lately. Please guide the brothers as well."
"The provincial department store is something we never even thought we could get into. I never thought you could actually get the basket in. Congratulations!"
"Sure, Baosheng, you've found your own way out, and you've also helped us find a way out. Our two teams are in the same boat. Now that the elder brother has risen, don't forget to support the younger brother, haha."
Zhang Baosheng was not proud either, and he laughed at everyone, but this time he stood up straighter than before when facing them. In the past, he would hide in a corner during meetings, smoking and talking with a few brigade cadres who were also not doing well, sighing, and he didn't even dare to speak loudly.
Now that he has become a hot commodity, he is still a little uncomfortable and having a hard time coping.
However, Comrade Xiao Zhou advised him that he should pretend not to understand any requests for "help to guide" or moral blackmail, and never make promises casually.
What's worse, they started to secretly instigate.
"It looks like this year's Outstanding Brigade has to go to your Qianjin Brigade." Zhu Kaiye from the Pingyu Brigade came over and shook hands with Zhang Baosheng, saying with a smile, "But it's also true that it's time for the Ernst & Young Brigade to step aside. We can't let them take all the Certificates of Excellence every year. We should temper their enthusiasm."
Zhang Baosheng's scalp tightened. He glanced at Hou Quansheng, who had come to the meeting with the Anyong team. He quickly smiled and said, "Old Zhu, don't say that. The Anyong team's land is well cultivated. We can't compare."
Zhu Kaiye laughed: "So what if I grow good crops? I only care about myself and ignore my fellow brigades. I'm far behind you..."
Zhou Jiani came over and interrupted him with a smile, saying, "How could they not care about others? We just haven't learned the essence. Hello, Captain Zhu, I'm Zhou Jiani, an educated youth from the Qianjin Brigade. Nice to meet you!"
The Anyong Brigade would also share their experiences at the meeting when making their annual report, but Zhou Jiani knew that the Anyong Brigade had some advantages due to its geographical conditions. The brigade also planted some fruit trees on the mountain, so the village's annual income was better than that of other brigades.
Dare to think and act. In other teams, either the leaders are afraid of failure, or they don’t have money to develop, or the members block the way, fearing that they will lose money and make the village poorer.
The Ernst & Young team is relatively united, with a strong drive from top to bottom.
But it would be pointless if Zhu Kaiye continued to stir up trouble.
When Zhu Kaiye heard her introduce herself, his eyes lit up.
He knew that the current popularity of the Qianjin Brigade was the result of the idea of a female educated youth named Zhou, and that the path was also paved by that educated youth.
The person who appeared here today must be Comrade Zhou. I didn’t expect that the girl is not only capable but also so beautiful.
"Hey, Zhou Zhiqing, hello, hello! I've heard of you for a long time!" Zhu Kaiye said with a regretful smile, "Why wasn't such an outstanding talent like Zhou Zhiqing assigned to our team back then? What a missed opportunity."
"Captain Zhu, you're so kind."
Zhou Jiani thought to herself that you are also a talented person who specializes in sowing discord.
I also admire Zhu Kaiye. Every year, he fights with several surrounding brigades over water issues, but when we meet each other in normal times, he smiles more amiably than anyone else.
She didn't exchange many pleasantries with him, but people nearby who heard her introduce herself came over to say hello, with a hint of surprise in their eyes.
Now that the Qianjin Brigade is so prosperous, how could they not ask about it? It was just that today was the first time I saw her, and I was a little surprised that she was actually a pretty little girl who looked delicate and charming.
Several men began to consider in their minds whether there were any outstanding young men in their village. If they could marry this young comrade to their brigade, wouldn't this talent be theirs?
He looked at Zhou Jiani for a moment with an extremely kind look in his eyes.
The meeting began with Zhai Xiangqiang's speech, specifically praising the recent achievements of the Qianjin Brigade. The topic then turned to the Qianjin Weaving Factory, raising the issue of purchasing raw materials and recruiting workers.
Everyone knew what was going on when they came to this meeting, and they had already made plans.
Those materials grow there, and any village member who needs them can cut them. At most, the team will arrange people to collect a batch of them, weave some baskets, and sell them to people in the goods store to help generate some income for the village.
Now that some people are willing to pay to buy it, it is naturally a profitable business for them.
But now there is a way to create greater value, right? When you compare the two, greed takes over and you naturally want more.
Some people had subtle expressions and their responses were not very positive.
Zhang Baosheng was a little anxious. When everyone met him just now, they were more enthusiastic than each other. But now that he actually brought up the idea, no one even responded, which made him a little uneasy.
But seeing that Comrade Xiao Zhou was relatively calm, writing something with his head down, as if he was unaware of the somewhat awkward atmosphere in the meeting room, he thought of Comrade Xiao Zhou's instructions before coming, and gradually calmed down, pretending to start writing something.
Zhai Xiangqiang was not in a hurry either. He was more patient and waited quietly.
Comrade Xiao Zhou is quite cunning. Yesterday, he and Li Jingdang came to the commune to talk to him, and he actually analyzed today's situation. Now they are competing to see who can sit still longer.
The entire conference room was silent for about two or three minutes, until someone finally couldn't sit still and spoke up. "Well, we'd like to supply goods to the Qianjin Brigade," said Niu Guofei from the Niu Village Brigade. "Our brigade is very poor, and we're very grateful that the Qianjin Brigade is willing to help us. When the time comes, I'll let my second uncle come to work in your factory."
Niu Guofei's second uncle is a good craftsman. Zhang Baosheng also knew it. He nodded and said, "Old Niu, when the time comes, just let the second uncle go directly. The treatment will be the same as that of the grain-filled people in our village."
Niu Guofei nodded: "Okay, I'll go back and tell my second uncle."
Following Niucun Brigade, Zhao Dangsheng from Dongwang Brigade also expressed his willingness to accept; then Jiao Chuansen from Moulan Brigade was also willing to provide materials; and Jia Xuehai from Xigou Brigade also expressed their willingness...
Someone expressed his opinion, and Zhai Xiangqiang didn't wait for others to react. He continued the meeting and made it clear that an agreement needed to be signed, especially the agreement with the department store, which prohibited private transactions. In other words, if those who were selected to work in the Qianjin Brigade wanted to learn by stealing and then go back to make and sell the goods themselves, this was not allowed. This was a project endorsed by the commune and such behavior was prohibited.
Many people were getting restless and were calculating with their abacus, but they hadn't anticipated that the Qianjin Brigade would not allow them to sell their baskets.
"Why is there such a thing? Don't we usually prohibit the sale of self-produced goods?"
"Yeah, that's a bit unreasonable."
"So only the Qianjin Brigade can sell it, but others can't?"
Zhai Xiangqiang knocked on the table and said, "The Qianjin Brigade must also abide by this contract. The previous regulations for other styles will remain the same, but the new styles of baskets in the Qianjin Brigade cannot be bought and sold privately. When you come to work, you must abide by this contract. Not only do you have to abide by it, but the corresponding team must also abide by it. Otherwise, if the department store investigates, the commune will also investigate the violating brigade or individuals."
The discussion below died down a bit, but someone, still greedy, said, "Let the comrades from the Forward Brigade teach us. We can compile it ourselves and then deliver it together. Why don't we go to your place to work?"
Zhang Baosheng wanted to ask, "Why? They worked so hard to build this road, and now you are the ones who are going to reap the fruits of it. Why didn't anyone speak up for these oppressed brigades during the previous years' trade fairs?"
But Comrade Xiao Zhou next to him spoke up, and his words were concise and to the point: "Centralize management, unify standards, standardize operations, and lay a solid foundation!"
She didn't say much, and after saying these points she didn't say anything else.
The team leader was Gao Yongcheng from the Pancun Brigade. He picked up the shelf and said, "Then we won't participate. We'll use our own materials."
An old man sitting next to him, Xin Yongchang from the Xiaojin Village Brigade, also said, "All the materials in our village have been distributed to the members for burning, and they don't mix with it anymore."
Zhou Jiani nodded and said, "Okay!"
Zhai Xiangqiang also nodded happily, lowered his head and wrote something down. It looked like he was compiling a list of people who did not participate.
The two captains were stunned, and so were the others. What did that mean? They didn't even bother to be polite. They just agreed to it without even saying they wouldn't participate?
After Zhai Xiangqiang finished writing, he looked up and said, "Which brigade is going to give up?"
Gao Yongcheng winked at the people next to him. Those brigade cadres had originally agreed to work together, and they thought to themselves that since they were not providing materials to the Qianjin Brigade, they should just let them play ball.
As a result, the other people hesitated and did not dare to mention it.
Xin Yongchang said in a breathy voice: "Hurry up and speak, what use are we? Even though they can sit still now, if there are too many protests, they will have no choice but to compromise. Old Zhu——"
Zhu Kaiye opened his mouth with a smile, but he asked a question, "It can't be sold privately, but it can be supplied to state-owned enterprises, right?"
Several captains were shocked and said, yes, it should be possible to supply other units as well.
Zhou Jiani said, "Okay, you can use any of the common designs as you like, but the ones we made ourselves require our authorization."
Zhu Kaiye choked and looked at Zhai Xiangqiang. Zhai Xiangqiang didn't object. He protested, "You are monopolizing!"
Zhou Jiani said calmly, "We are trying to prevent internal strife and malicious competition that would disrupt our stable development path."
The foundation has not been laid yet, so we must take the right to speak into our own hands.
Zhu Kaiye sat back down and made his position clear: "We don't want to. As for that spot, whoever wants it can take it."
Zhou Jiani nodded: "Okay!"
Another three or four brigades gave up the opportunity to cooperate and the quota to go to work.
Zhang Baosheng imitated Zhou Jiani and calmly wrote down their list, but he was becoming more and more restless. The ones that were given up were the ones with the most raw materials. The goods that the remaining brigades could supply to them were not as much as these ones combined.
There were still some who had neither given up nor agreed. One team leader asked, "Lao Zhang, we promised to supply you with goods. Can you also get the bamboo baskets woven by our village into the department store?"
Zhai Xiangqiang frowned.
Zhang Baosheng was about to refuse without a second thought, but Zhou Jiani took over with a smile and said kindly, "I can help you ask, but we can't guarantee whether you will accept it or how much you will sell it for."
The captain said shamelessly, "If they dare not accept it, just say you won't supply them. They will definitely accept it. The key lies in whether you are willing to help us."
Just like a few years ago, there was a period of time when if you went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy rice, you had to buy two kilograms of sweet potatoes with ten kilograms of rice, otherwise you couldn’t buy it.
Zhou Jiani laughed: "Blackmail them? That's a good idea!"
Zhang Baosheng couldn't sit still anymore and wanted to curse.
What was this person thinking, gambling with them the future of the Qianjin Brigade? However, seeing Xiao Zhou's composure, he pressed himself back.
Director Zhai couldn't help but scold them, "Nonsense! We're so far away from the provincial capital, and they want to import ordinary woven goods, but they don't go to the nearby communes and come to us from so far away? We want to create a unique weaving industry, not a street full of ordinary woven goods. Now we haven't established a firm foundation yet, and you're thinking of threatening them. It's outrageous!"
The captain shrank back, but was willing to provide materials to the Qianjin Brigade, and hoped that he could get an extra spot for his own members when drawing lots.
Xin Yongchang was still trying to mobilize the few remaining members who hadn't expressed their views, hoping to gain some leverage over the Qianjin Brigade. Even if he couldn't change the strategy, at least he could get them to raise the purchase price a bit. What did this agreement mean? All the brigades were praising him, the Qianjin Brigade?
In fact, it was jealousy at work. You were all mediocre and didn't look down on each other in the past. But you secretly started the staffing industry, which amazed the commune leaders, and even sent your capable secretary to be the deputy factory director. Who could stand this?
They were feeling uncomfortable, so they wanted to make Zhang Baosheng feel uncomfortable too.
Thanks to the efforts of a few saboteurs, more than half of the 27 brigades were dragged into the water.
Gao Yongcheng silently counted the numbers and whispered to the captains, "Those who agreed are either too poor to afford a place to wear pants or don't have much material on hand. That idiot Zhang Baosheng is still dreaming. Just wait and see, he'll come looking for us later. We can't just agree to it lightly then. Either take us along or raise the price."
Others responded one after another.
Logically, Zhang Baosheng should have understood everyone's situation, but they were not in a hurry at all. They were smiling and shaking hands and talking with Lao Niu and the others.
Director Zhai was the same. He didn't do any more ideological work to persuade them. When they said no, they would say yes and then not even mention a word of trying to persuade them to stay.
As for the young educated youth, she was pretty and always smiled at everyone, but everyone could see that she was difficult to talk to. She was a cunning girl and very clever!
After Zhai Xiangqiang finished compiling the list, he asked those who refused to cooperate, "Who has work to report? Those who need to report, please stay and report your work. Those who don't need to, let's adjourn."
Gao Yongcheng and the others got up and walked out, still observing that side out of the corner of their eyes. No one tried to stop them, and no one said a word to try to keep them.
He was also angry, and said to the others: "Humph, when Lao Zhang comes, we won't pay any attention to anyone and leave him alone for a few days."
Xin Yongchang from Xiaojin Village said, "Team Anyong actually signed the agreement. Are they willing to be outmaneuvered by Team Qianjin? They're even flattering Team Qianjin."
Zhu Kaiye sneered: "I'm not flattering the Qianjin Brigade, I'm flattering the leader."
In the eyes of these Zhongbuliu, the reason why the Ernst & Young team is criticized every year is not because they are developing well, but because they are good at currying favor with the leaders. Now that the leaders are calling for support, how can the Ernst & Young team not support it?
More than a dozen captains came out of the conference room and went back in groups of three or four.
No one knows whether there will be regrets halfway through.
On this side, after signing the contract, Zhang Baosheng said goodbye to all the captains who had reached cooperation with him with a smile, and finally returned to the conference room to review.
Of course he knew that there were not many raw materials, and if he continued to develop, the ones he collected from them would definitely not be enough.
It was indeed unpleasant to be manipulated by others, but seeing that Comrade Xiao Zhou was not in a hurry at all, he calmly checked the contract and said, "Then the technical assessment will depend on Uncle Si and his men."
Zhai Xiangqiang was also silent for a while, but seeing that Comrade Xiao Zhou was not depressed at all, he thought that she didn't know that she had agreed to these things and actually could not provide much information.
He pointed at the stack of agreements and said, "Comrade Zhou, these alone won't provide you with much material. If you want to expand the market and get more orders, you won't be able to sustain it for long. You still have to go find the remaining brigades."
But Comrade Zhou didn't give any face at all just now. Although he responded with a smile, he still offended people.
Zhou Jiani gathered the agreements and sorted them out. She smiled and said, "Who said the materials only come from the brigade in our Xihe Commune?"
For the first time, Zhai Xiangqiang lost his composure and stared in shock.
Comrade Xiao Zhou wants to create achievements for other commune leaders in front of him, the leader of Xihe Commune?
Li Jingdang couldn't help laughing and turned his head away to suppress his smile.
Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "Director, please don't be anxious."
She took a blank piece of paper, drew two roads on it, and said, "We're not just facing the problem of raw materials, but also the problem of transportation. The most pressing issue in transportation right now is the road. As you know, the large trucks in the transport team are reluctant to use this road unless it's absolutely necessary."
"Because we have acquaintances and a good relationship, they're willing to accommodate us. But if the relationship breaks down one day, or they stop coming here often, asking other drivers to accommodate us might even increase the cost. If they don't want to go this way anymore, we'll have to deliver the goods to the Donghe Commune intersection..."
Zhou Jiani scribbled on a piece of paper and said, "But this short stretch of road is the hardest to drive on, especially when it rains. Cars can get stuck in there and can't get out. And this stretch of road belongs to the Donghe Commune. We have no right to touch it. As for them, whether they repair it or not is of no consequence to them. The central road in Donghe Town is already accessible. Why would they bother building another stretch of road that benefits us but doesn't matter to them?"
"There have been many negotiations between the two sides, right? They just push and hold back."
Several leaders have been replaced on both sides, but this problem has not been solved.
Everyone was having a hard time, and they felt it was a loss to ask Xihe Commune to contribute manpower and effort; but Donghe Commune felt it was unnecessary and was unwilling to repair it, not even willing to go through the effort of laying a layer of stones.
Zhai Xiangqiang asked, "Are you trying to use this opportunity to build a better relationship with them so they'll agree to build the road?" He shook his head. "That's a long shot. If Sang Chongfeng was so easy to talk to, the problem would have been solved long ago."
Zhou Jiani said, "Director, let's collect some of the money and then let it go. When the time comes, let them go to their commune to protest."
Zhai Xiangqiang was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter and said, "You little brain, okay, let's get the goods from other brigades. But forget about the idea of building a road. Sang Chongfeng, that old fox, just got his approval. This is really not enough. We need to carve out another piece of meat."
If this establishment industry really develops to a certain scale in the future, he will seek authorization from Donghe Commune and they will fill that section of road themselves.
As for the current deal to buy from Donghe Commune, he wasn't at a disadvantage. He was teaching Gao Yongcheng and his gang a lesson. They thought that without Zhang the Butcher, they would only be able to eat hairy pigs, and they were still putting on airs. Let's see who gets the last word.
Everyone, please wake up.
Well, maybe it can also increase the cohesion of Xihe Commune.
On the way back, Zhang Baosheng angrily cursed the ancestors of several team leaders.
The matter of going to Donghe Commune was assigned to Li Jingdang. Li Jingdang still had some connections, and with the help of his good friend from Donghe Commune, they visited several villages and finalized the matter.
Next, the forward team was busy and happy.
The people in Pancun Brigade and Xiaojincun Brigade were waiting for Zhang Baosheng to come and show goodwill so that they could control him. However, they did not wait for Zhang Baosheng, but waited for the news that the processing workshop of Qianjin Brigade had officially moved into the factory.
Several strings of firecrackers were set off.
At the same time, there was news that people from Niucun Brigade, Anyong Brigade, Xigou Brigade, Dongwang Brigade and other teams went to work.
Because of their giving up, these brigades added one quota, and the other quotas came from several brigades under Donghe Commune.
"People from Donghe Commune?" Gao Yongcheng and the others were completely upset when they heard the news. They said anxiously, "He doesn't want to recruit people from our Xihe Commune, but recruits people from Donghe Commune? Zhang Baosheng is crazy!"
Zhu Kaiye said: "Zhang Baosheng is not crazy, they got the materials from those brigades."
"Hasn't this been played a trick on us?" Xin Yongchang said, then fell silent. How had he been played a trick on? But he felt a sense of humiliation and a tinge of resentment. Why was this?
"Let's go to the commune to find the leader. I don't believe that the leader is willing to do this?" Gao Yongcheng shouted.
The cadres from the other brigades all felt a little regretful, but at this point, they could only go to the commune together to find the leader.
Zhu Kaiye didn't want to hang out with them anymore and said, "You guys go, I won't go. I don't believe we can't get along without him in the Forward Brigade!"
After returning to the village, he did not go to the village committee, but went to a yard behind the village committee. Looking at the lace baskets he had made, he said with a smile: "The brave will die of overeating, and the timid will die of starvation. Damn it, I'm done!"
That young comrade is right. Why should he be afraid of being held accountable? He is working for the benefit of the entire village. If the leaders dare to hold him accountable, then let the old ladies of Pingyu Village go to the leaders and cry collectively.
Leaders are not afraid of those who are reasonable, but they are afraid of those who are unreasonable. The final result will definitely be nothing.
By that time, the matter will have been done, can the commune stop us from doing it?
Another group of people arrived at the commune and were told that Zhai Xiangqiang had gone to a meeting in the county. When they went back the next day, he had not returned from the meeting yet...
Here, Zhang Baosheng was cheerful from morning to night for two or three days in a row. He received more orders from the provincial capital, including woven baskets and a small number of storage stools.
What made him happiest was that he felt proud of himself.
I didn't let those bastards get away with it, and I'm happier than getting two big orders.
He was sitting in the village committee office smoking and reading the newspaper with his eyes squinting when Liu Ailing came in to ask him for a letter of introduction.
"Captain, I'd like to ask for a few days of home leave. Could you please give me a letter of introduction?"
Zhang Baosheng recognized him as one of the educated youth from Xiao Zhou's group, who had been there for less than half a year. He said directly, "I can't approve him!"
Liu Ailing's smile froze. "Captain, since I came to our village, except for the first day I fainted because I wasn't used to the work and had to take a half-day break, I've been very active and never fell behind in my work. Why can't I take a leave to visit my family?"
She thought Zhang Baosheng had classified her as one of those who were punished, so this statement was also implying that she did not cause any trouble last time.
Zhang Baosheng said calmly, "You've only been here for less than half a year and you're already asking for home leave. If everyone does this, how can I manage them? Besides, even if I get approved, the commune won't approve it."
When she heard that they would not approve her decision, Liu Ailing became anxious and said, "My mother is ill. I only found out the other day when I called back from the town. She's very ill. I'm worried and want to go back to see her." Liu Ailing's eyes turned red as she said, "I'll go to the leaders at the commune to explain the situation."
Zhang Baosheng suddenly thought of something and frowned, "What disease does your mother have?"
Oh, he remembered, it was the woman who called him a peasant last time. Looking at the way she jumped three feet high, it seemed that she would never get sick in her life.
Liu Ailing hadn't expected it to be so difficult to get a family leave note. Without much preparation, she just said whatever came to mind: "My mother is weak and often suffers from minor illnesses. Maybe it's because of the cold weather recently, so her condition has become a little serious..."
Zhang Baosheng said, "That's not right. Last time your mother scolded me, she was full of energy. Even from half a meter away, her spit hit me in the face. How could she be weak?"
Liu Ailing's expression changed slightly: "Captain, have you seen my mother?" She smiled stiffly and said, "How could that be? My mother doesn't know you."
What does that mean? Not only did her mother meet Zhang Baosheng, she also scolded him.
My mind suddenly buzzed, and I suddenly remembered that Zhang Baosheng had been to the provincial capital... No, could it be that Zhou Jiani took Zhang Baosheng back to the dormitory of the Second Spinning Factory?
Zhou Jiani is sick. Why did she take Zhang Baosheng to the dormitory area?
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